Published: March
1, 2018Failed
M5 fuel price signs near Burnham-On-Sea to be decommissioned

Electronic
M5 motorway signs comparing fuel prices at service stations have
failed to reduce costs, a study has concluded.

Forecourt
prices at five rest-stops between Bristol and Exeter, including
Sedgemoor Services near Burnham-On-Sea, have been displayed since
March 2016 as part of a trial aimed at promoting competition.

However,
a new report published this week by Highways England reveals there
was no evidence of any savings.

Highways
England says the signs are being decommissioned and it is exploring
options for their future use.

Motoring
organisation RAC says it does not know any reason why filling up
on the motorway should be "on average 16p more per litre".

A spokesman
added: "We had hoped this trial would help to promote an element
of competition among motorway services' fuel operators by overtly
displaying prices to drivers, but sadly all it's proved is that
motorway fuel is extremely expensive wherever you buy it."

"Motorway
service area operators take advantage of drivers having to make
'distressed' fuel purchases."

Highways
England said it would cost £50m to roll out the scheme across
the country, however there was "no case" for doing this,
the study concluded.

Pictured:
One of the signs is sited between Burnham-On-Sea's junction 22 and
Weston-super-Mare's junction 21

|||||

24-hour
live picturesSee live images of the seafront and beach
with Burnham's Webcam.Click
here

Buy
in Burnham!Support local traders by shopping in town
- see our A-Z index of businesses.Click
here

Things
to see and doCheck the constantly updated Burnham-On-Sea.com
calendar for what's happening. Click
here